Linda Faye Mitchem, affectionately known to those who loved her simply as Linda, peacefully departed this life on July 31, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, strength, generosity, and devotion to her family.

Linda was born on March 8, 1955, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to William Henry Jones and Thelma Cooke. After the passing of her parents, Linda was raised by her paternal grandmother, Catherine, and aunt, Rosetta, and grew up surrounded by cousins whom she loved and considered her siblings. Though she began life as an only child, she was never without family, and the importance of family remained at the very heart of who she was.

She attended No. 10 Middle School and J.S. Spivey Jr. High, where she was known for her academics, band affiliation, and keen fashion sense, which she carried throughout her life. She graduated from Fayetteville Technical Institute and worked on base at Fort Bragg, where she met the man she would later marry and create a life with.

Their love story began in a way that became part of the family’s treasured history. The first time Lonnie saw Linda, she was carrying a bag of wheat flour, and he affectionately began calling her “Wheat.” He would say that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Linda eventually made Cleveland, Ohio, her home, where she built a beautiful life and family of her own and went on to establish a successful career as an executive with the Marriott Hotel chain. Linda would later travel throughout the country with Lonnie, experiencing the beauty of God’s creation and making memories along the way. Their love endured for 52 years and remained a treasured part of her heart.

Linda was a woman of unwavering faith who accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She loved the Lord deeply and remained devoted to Him throughout her life. She was an active and faithful member of Jesus Christ Apostolic, Higher Ground Ministries, and Union Pentecostal for many years before recently becoming a member of Another Divine Blessing.

Her faith was not merely something she spoke about—it was something she lived. Even in the midst of life’s most difficult struggles, Linda remained grateful and thankful to God. She held tightly to her hope and never gave up believing that the Lord would work things in her favor. Her deep, personal relationship with God gave her strength, and her faith became part of the legacy she passed on to everyone around her.

Linda was sweet, kind, giving, nurturing, and fiercely protective of the people she loved. She had a remarkable ability to see people for who they truly were and was an excellent judge of character. She was direct and never afraid to speak her mind, but she had a gentle way of delivering even the hardest truth. If Linda loved you, you knew it—and if you needed her, she was there.

She carried herself with intelligence, strength, professionalism, and grace, leaving an impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her. She was devoted to her family and took immense pride in the people they had become. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren beyond measure and considered family one of God’s greatest blessings.

Linda was preceded in death by her beloved parents, William and Thelma; grandmother, Catherine; aunt, Rosetta; and her husband of 52 years, Lonnie Vernon Mitchem, who passed away in 2022.

Linda leaves to cherish her memory her three children, Rolanda, LaQuetta, and Dietrick; her four grandsons, Brandon (Cristian), Diante, De’Von, and Bravonte; and her great-grandchildren, D’Mari, Braylen, Bry’anne, Brycen, Dream and Braxten. She also leaves a host of extended family, friends, church family, and loved ones whose lives were touched by her kindness, wisdom, generosity, and love.

To her family, Linda was so much more than a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a protector. She was a source of wisdom. She was a safe place. She was the woman who loved hard, gave freely, told the truth, and never lost hope. She took great pride in her family, great joy in the people she loved, and great comfort in her faith.

She was beautiful inside and out. She was a blessing. She was loved. And she will be deeply missed.

Her family takes comfort in knowing that the love she gave so freely does not end with her passing. It lives on in her children, in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, in the family she nurtured, in the friends she helped, in the lives she touched, and in the faith she carried until the very end.

Her family is immensely proud to have called her theirs—and especially proud to say: She was our mother. She was our grandmother. She was our family. She was our blessing. And she will forever be our beloved Linda.

Rest peacefully, Mommy. You were loved more than words could ever say. And you will be missed more than words could ever express.

Until we meet again.